Heath & Wellbeing

 

The Forestry Commission Active Woods campaign has enabled thousands of people to take part in healthy activities in their local woods over the past two years.

This is a national campaign which has included 

• Wear Your Wellies in the Woods – a series of Easter events, aimed at encouraging children and families to enjoy the outdoors, whatever the weather.
• A diverse range of outdoor exercise sessions such as Tai Chi, rounders, orienteering and cycling.
• Working with the Kennel Club to promote the physical and mental health benefits of dog walking in woodlands.

Forestry Commission Community Rangers in Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire have formed local partnerships with schools and health providers, to promote the benefits of outdoor activity for providing physical and mental health benefits.

Schools in North Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire have joined rangers on a series of health walks. Weekly sessions take place over several weeks. Initial sessions start with short walks. Later sessions include longer walks and site based activities such as pond dipping and environmental art.

We have linked up with Mansfield & Ashfield NHS Mental Health Trust, Rainworth House, Lincolnshire NHS and Doncaster Primary Care Trust.   These links have led to individual referrals to practical conservation projects. People with mental and physical health issues and drug addiction attend regular work sessions that help them gain confidence, improve their physical health and social skills.

We don’t yet have any evaluation of these ongoing projects. However, research based on a similar project at Chopwell Wood near Newcastle shows that people recover faster from both physical and mental illness episodes when they are exposed to the natural environment. It also proved that adherence to exercise referral schemes is increased when undertaken within a natural environment.

For the Chopwell Wood project, the Forestry Commission partnered with two Primary Care Trusts and the local Friends group.